Oct. 08, 2010
Ann Marie Trotta
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1601
ann.marie.trotta@nasa.gov
Jenna C. Maddix
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
jenna.c.maddix@nasa.gov
RELEASE: 10-251
NASA SELECTS COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS TO DESIGN ROVERS AND EXPLORE TECHNOLOGY CAREERS AT FIELD CENTERS
WASHINGTON -- Community college students in a pilot program will take
the first steps toward potential technology careers as they develop
robotic explorers at NASA field centers. Ninety students from
community colleges in 23 states have been selected to travel to
NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston or the Marshall Space Flight
Center in Huntsville, Ala., for hands on experience with technology
development and direct interaction with NASA experts.
This week, the White House Summit on Community Colleges explored how
these institutions can support a highly educated and skilled
workforce. Concurrently, NASA is preparing for the culmination of the
National Community College Aerospace Scholars pilot program. The
agency will bring young scholars to join agency professionals Oct.
20-22 to develop rovers to explore the surfaces of other worlds and
learn more about actual careers in science and engineering.
During the summer, students enrolled in the program completed four
Web-based assignments that explored topics in engineering and
technology. Those whose grades on the projects averaged at least 94
percent qualified to participate in the NASA field center experience,
with the agency paying students' travel expenses. Students will apply
what they have learned during the year to technology and design
problems in consultation with NASA engineers.
"Community colleges are an important part of the academic landscape,
and NASA is proud to be working with these students to continue their
interest and skills in science, technology, engineering and
mathematics," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. "This
innovative project gets students engaged in actual engineering design
and production -- from concept to build-out -- that simulates the
processes NASA uses in designing robotic explorers for solar system
destinations. By letting them experience first-hand the challenges
and excitement inherent in space exploration, we may be cultivating
NASA's workforce of tomorrow."
While at the NASA centers, participants will form teams to establish
Mars exploration "companies." Each team will develop a prototype
rover, design a line drawing of their vehicle, and form a company
infrastructure, including a budget and communications plan. The
students also will tour center facilities and attend presentations by
astronauts and other NASA technology experts about their work and
careers.
Participating students come from colleges in Alabama, Arizona,
California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois,
Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, New Jersey,
Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington
and Wisconsin.
"NASA is very proud of the outstanding work these students already
have completed, and we look forward to seeing their rover designs,"
said Deborah Hutchings, the program manager at Johnson. "These
students have a unique opportunity to preview how a career in
science, technology, engineering or math can lead them on a journey
of space exploration."
The National Community College Aerospace Scholars pilot program is
based on the Texas Aerospace Scholars program. Both programs are
designed to encourage community and junior college students to enter
careers in science and engineering and join the nation's high
technology workforce.
With this program, NASA continues the agency's investment in the
nation's students with a goal of attracting them to the science,
technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines critical to
NASA's future missions.
For a complete list of the students selected and the community
colleges they represent, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/descriptions/National_Community_College_Aerospace_Scholars.html
For more information about NASA's National Community College Aerospace
Scholars, visit:
http://aerospacescholars.jsc.nasa.gov/NCAS
For more information about NASA's education programs, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/education
-end-